A first-half strike from veteran Sinclair Smith gave St. George's a crucial victory over chief challengers Ireland Rangers at Wellington Oval yesterday.

The result boosted the east enders' cushion to seven points at the head of the First Division, and brought them out of a mini-slump that had seen them suffer losses at the hands of Somerset Eagles and Boulevard, although the latter came in the Shield competition.

Rangers had bargained on stealing a win, one which would have catapulted them to within a point of the leaders, however it was not to be, and they were left only with a long, sombre journey back home.

St. David's 4 Hamilton Parish 6 Hamilton Parish made a miracle comeback against St. David's, storming from four goals down to stun St. David's 6-4.

Corey Hill keyed the fight-back with a hat-trick, as Parish plundered the Islanders with an all-out attacking effort in the second half.

St. David's looked to have matters in hand after O.J. Minors netted twice, while Angelo Cannonier and Aaron Lugo with a penalty got the others.

However, having had Hill pull one back just before the interval, the Hot Peppers found a rich scoring vein of their own, as Hill scorched two more to add to goals from Leon Raynor, Donovan Thompson and Alvin Baker.

Paget 0 Boulevard 1 Paget continued their fall from grace, being beaten by lowly Boulevard at White Hill Field.

They were floored by a goal by Gregory Johnson after 32 minutes in a game that saw Boulevard creating most of the scoring opportunities.

The game was interrupted by 30 minutes in the second half when Boulevard centre-back Kenneth Darrell received a suspected broken league during a collision and was taken by ambulance to hospital for attention.

Paget did manage to create some chances as play progressed but so did their opponents, who wound up deserved winners.

Boulevard thus moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this season, going from ninth to eighth. For Paget, the loss left them seven points behind leaders St. George's and in a race with Ireland Rangers for the promotion play-off spot.

Social Club 2 Prospect 3 Prospect moved up to seventh while Social Club plunged to the basement after this battle at Bernard Park.

Prospect led 2-1 at the break on goals from John Richmond and Phillip, but were made to sweat it out for victory, with Jerome Laws notching the eventual winner.

Marcus Mathews and Leonard Raynor tallied for Social Club.